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Mexico coach Javier Aguirre revealed his team had overcome a bout of stage fright before clinching their first victory in a World Cup opener with a 2-0 defeat of South Africa on Thursday.

Japan captain Wataru Endo was ruled out of the World Cup with injury and announced his international retirement on Thursday, three days before his team's opener against the Netherlands.

Police arrested 16 people during a second night of disorder in Northern Ireland sparked by a brutal Belfast stabbing, but there were no new clashes on Thursday evening.

Iran's footballers took to the training pitch in front of journalists Thursday at their base camp in Mexico, giving the world its first glimpse of a team whose participation in the World Cup has been clouded by war with the United States.

Britain's defence and armed forces ministers quit Thursday in a row over military spending, piling pressure on beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer who is facing calls to step down.

Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula have reached a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, and ice is melting at abnormal rates during the current winter, climate scientists told AFP on Thursday.

Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

Dozens of protesters clashed with police Thursday outside the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City as South Africa and Mexico played the first match of the World Cup before 80,000 fans.

Wall Street stocks rallied and oil prices tumbled Thursday after President Donald Trump pulled back from renewed US strikes on Iran while European equities edged higher after the ECB raised interest rates.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a "great settlement" to end the war with Iran, saying he expected a deal to be signed in Europe as soon as this weekend.

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker insisted Thursday that doubts about the record five-time champions could work in the team's favour at the World Cup as they prepare to get their campaign in North America up and running.

United States star Christian Pulisic said the World Cup co-hosts are "ready to battle" on soccer's biggest stage as they prepare for a potentially bruising opener against Paraguay on Friday.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a "great settlement" with Iran to end the Middle East war, saying he expected a deal to be signed in Europe in the coming days.

A group of UN experts on Thursday denounced a crackdown on women by the Taliban morality police in the western Afghan city of Herat, saying at least two people had been killed and more than 20 injured during recent protests against the restrictions.

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Thursday confirmed it will begin trading on the Nasdaq exchange Friday in the biggest initial public offering in history, a blockbuster market debut that could propel the entrepreneur to trillionaire status.

A leather bag made from Tyrannosaurus rex cells failed to sell on Thursday, the Paris auction house Drouot said, commenting that bids were well below expected.

World Cup matches in the United States have been made as safe as they "can possibly be" -– from crowd control to anti-drone measures at every game -- but concerns remain about lone wolf attacks, according to top government officials.

US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to launch a more devastating wave of bombings against Iran on Thursday and promised instead that he would soon be able to announce the signing of a deal with Tehran to end the war.

Ethiopia claimed Thursday that forces in the northern Tigray region were preparing an offensive against the federal government in the coming days, raising fears of a return to war.

Jose Mourinho returns to Real Madrid with club president Florentino Perez gambling his traits of discipline and a fierce competitive drive will revive the Spanish giants after a turbulent spell.

After two seasons without major silverware, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez activated the nuclear option.

Real Madrid appointed Jose Mourinho as their coach on Thursday on a three-year deal, with the Portuguese veteran making a sensational return to the Spanish capital after 13 years away.

Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the Estadio Azteca on Thursday ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.

Still hurting after the worst collapse in NBA Finals history, the San Antonio Spurs vow the New York Knicks will not win their first title in 53 years without a fight.

Thousands of football fans attempted to shove their way into Mexico City's official World Cup fan zone on Thursday, creating chaotic scenes shortly before kick-off in the opening game.

US President Donald Trump said he was calling off strikes on Iran that he had planned for Thursday, and flagged the signing of a possible deal with Tehran after top-level talks.

Ivory Coast and Senegal home-based fans have been denied visas to the United States, dashing their hopes of following their teams at the World Cup.

Tom Willis is adamant he has "no regrets" over rejoining Bordeaux-Begles, even though a return to France means his England career is on hold.

Iran warned Washington on Thursday that it risked wading into an "endless quagmire" of war and soaring energy prices, after US President Donald Trump vowed to launch a new round of airstrikes and to seize an island oil terminal.

Spain stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams took part in training on Thursday, allaying fears over their fitness ahead of La Roja's World Cup opener against Cape Verde.

Police arrested 16 people during a second night of disorder in Northern Ireland sparked by a brutal Belfast stabbing, a senior minister said Thursday, condemning rioters for "racist thuggery".

The phenomenon El Nino has arrived, the US weather agency said Thursday, and scientists expect the pattern synonymous with droughts, floods and soaring temperatures will intensify into the end of the year, potentially to historic strength.